‘‘It’s a fast-growing community that we thought one of our friendly, relaxed gyms would suit.’’

Mr Miller said the company’s business strategy centred on its promise to be the friendliest gyms in Australia.

‘‘We opened our first gym about 16 years ago, and began franchising two years ago,’’ Mr Miller said of himself and business partner John Fuller.

‘‘To grow in what has become such a competitive marketplace, while maintaining a high standard of customer service, the solution we found was to franchise.’’

While most of its gyms were franchised, Shepparton would join a selection of corporate-owned branches.

‘‘From time to time, the opportunity comes up somewhere and we might not have a franchisee for that area, so we open a gym owned by the company because we don’t want to miss that opportunity,’’ Mr Miller said.

He estimated the company opened a new gym every seven to 10 days.

The company was looking to employ three people from Shepparton — two receptionists and one personal trainer.

There might be an opportunity for a second personal trainer at the start of next year as the business grew, Mr Miller said.

The employees would be flown to Sydney for training and returned to Shepparton to run the gym.